New lodge on Lookout Mountain at McLemore to break ground this month
The owners of McLemore have confirmed that nearly $188-million in bonds have been sold to fund the construction of a 245-room lodge, conference center and spa along the eastern edge of Lookout Mountain, Ga.
Construction on the lodge at McLemore will commence in September. Once opened in late 2023, the facility will employ more than 300 fulltime, direct employees. Atlanta-based general contractor New South Construction has obtained permits for land disturbance, as well as for foundations. Chattanooga-based GenTech Construction will provide construction management services.
McLemore President Duane Horton noted, “McLemore’s world-class team has been together for the better part of a decade. This milestone is a testament to their commitment and perseverance to create a destination to serve our community and guests for generations to come.”
The five-star facility will be a Curio Collection Hotel by Hilton and offer multi-level dining and entertainment terraces, infinity edge pools and spas, as well as spaces that blend the building with the landscape, including a large outdoor events venue. The completed facility will provide banquet and meeting space for corporate events and weddings, as well as on-site lodging for golfers, families and couples looking for a romantic getaway.
“We met with a number of hotel groups and selected Hilton because of their enthusiasm for the project and location,” Horton said. “The Curio Collection by Hilton gives us the flexibility to design this project in a manner that respects the natural setting, local history and the vision provided by our world-class team.”
Numerous on-site amenities are planned for guests to the McLemore property, including swimming pools, a fitness facility, yoga studio and retail center. An outdoor program will also provide guests with guides and gear to enjoy the numerous outdoor activities available at McLemore and the surrounding area, including hiking, rock climbing and bouldering, mountain biking and road cycling,
spelunking, hang gliding and paragliding.
“McLemore is surrounded by thousands of acres of federal and state parks and protected wildlife areas,” Horton said. “We are looking forward to introducing people to the undiscovered natural beauty of northwest Georgia and the tremendous opportunities the Chattanooga metropolitan area has to offer.”
Roland Aberg, Hart Howerton master planner, asserted, “McLemore is and will be a landmark destination. Every venue within the hotel is designed in response to the unique nuances of Lookout Mountain’s rugged terrain — from its dining options, indoor and outdoor bar options, to the conference center and variety of guest accommodations. The lodge will
offer stunning views of McLemore Cove, Pigeon Mountain and the Blue Ridge Mountains.”
Providing hospitality management oversight is Atlanta-based Valor Hospitality, which is led by Glaswegian Euan McGlashan, whose launch of the Cape Grace hotel in South Africa secured the No. 1 spot in the world by Condé Nast Traveler’s 2000 Reader’s Choice award.
“McLemore provides us with the unique opportunity to continue our mission of reimagining hospitality,” said McGlashan. “The mixture of Southern hospitality with Valor’s service-based DNA gives us an extraordinary opportunity to position McLemore as a world-class destination.”
McGlashan’s team is
currently managing club operations at McLemore, including The Creag restaurant and the Stay & Play program, with the oversight of general manager Tom Schreiner.
Adding to the line-up are Craig Peavy and Thomas Palmer, each a principal in Chattanooga-based firm Tinker Ma and architects of record for the hotel at McLemore. “We challenged ourselves to create a place that is both reflective of and complimentary to McLemore’s vistas,” said Peavy. “Bringing such an economic catalyst to the region is going to be a journey of a lifetime.”
Palmer added, “Our greatest desire is for our work to celebrate this place and create opportunities for more people to discover and appreciate the natural beauty of McLemore and Walker County.”
Horton noted that none of the progress made at McLemore would be possible without support from Walker County leaders.
“From the first meeting with Commissioner Whitfield and Robert Wardlaw, they were open to our ideas and encouraged us to do all we could to meet local needs,” he said. “We’re encouraged by the fact that our efforts will be transformational to the place that has been so supportive to our efforts.”
McLemore leadership worked closely with representatives from the State of Georgia and officials from Walker County.
“While a project like this will bring numerous visitors to Walker
County, I’m also excited about the benefits it will yield for our citizens,” said Chairman Shannon Whitfield of the Walker County Board of Commissioners. “The creation of good paying jobs with benefits will provide economic stability and prosperity for many families in our community.”
Echoing Chairman Whitfield, Georgia State Sen. Jeff Mullis said, “I believe that northwest Georgia will quickly become a beacon of tourism in the southeastern United States as a result of this project.”
He added, “Increased revenue from out-of-state tourism dollars will have a ripple effect on the communities surrounding McLemore, impacting everyone for the positive. I, along with the Northwest Georgia Joint Development Authority, Top of Georgia and our partners, are honored to take part in this phenomenal project.”
“Ultimately, this project has been a team effort by some of the best in their industries,” Horton noted. “Having been raised in McLemore Cove and Walker County, it is rewarding to have the opportunity to create something that will benefit our community and region for years to come.
“We are thankful for everyone contributing to this effort and the leadership of our board and executive team,” he said. “We are committed to the area and believe in the enormous possibilities of its future.”